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Swan Creek and Ottawa River Watersheds
Lucas, Wood and Henry Counties, Ohio

Conceptional Stream Restoration Plan, Ten Mile Creek, Lucas County, Ohio Client: Partners for Clean Streams

Hull and another consultant teamed to perform targeted identification and conceptual restoration plans for wetland and stream sites located throughout the Swan Creek and Ottawa River watersheds in northwest Ohio. The project was completed for a non-profit organization, Partners for Clean Streams (PCS), using funding from the Joyce Foundation. The objective was to focus on surface water restoration to improve water quality throughout the watersheds. Planning, field work, modeling, design and reporting work were split equally between the two firms, with Hull taking the lead on stream aquatic life and habitat assessments, stream restoration design and GIS modeling.

Hull compiled a comprehensive GIS database of relevant information, and used these data in a Hull-designed GIS model to identify subsets of all possible potential restoration sites that best met certain criteria determined in consultation with the PCS board. The model criteria were designed to identify potential wetland restoration sites, potential stream restoration sites, and sites with the potential for restoration of both wetlands and streams. The model criteria were selected and weighted to maximize the selection of sites where restoration activities would result in the greatest improvements in water quality.

Identified potential restoration sites were assessed in the field and a wide variety of data were collected, including wetland delineation data, floristic quality assessment index data, species lists, quantitative fish and macroinvertebrate data and aquatic habitat data.  Site assessments were designed to identify the best approach to restoration of degraded wetlands, streams, riparian buffers, and upland wildlife habitat.

The team produced restoration concept plans for 24 wetland and stream restoration sites. These site concept plans were supported by restoration conceptual designs for large and small streams, and wetlands in various soil regimes. The restoration concepts were designed to be used anywhere in the watershed, not just at the identified sites in the study. These designs are scalable and useful for stream and wetland restoration planning throughout the watersheds in support of water-quality improvement goals set by the TMDL process and other programs.

To find out how Hull can help, please contact Hull's Ecology and Wetlands Practice Leader, Hugh Crowell, PWS at (614) 793-8777.